Monobloc wheel

ABSTRACT

A monobloc wheel has a well-base rim and a disc. The disc comprises a central portion flared in a direction that is axially in and radially out, an intermediate portion lying in the plane of attachment to the hub, and an outer portion flared in a direction that is axially out and radially out. The outer portion is joined to the rim near a rim flange so that the disc buttresses the rim while constituting an extension thereof.

United States Patent 11-91 Verdier 1 Jul 17 1973 MONOBLOC WHEEL 3,428,365 2 1969 French 301/65 75 l H v d. 3,659,901 5/1972 Porsche 301/65 1 1 er 3,153,557 10/1964 01311611 301/6 cs Beauregard-LEveque, France [73] Assigneez Compagnie Generale Des FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Etablissments Miche'in raison ocials 843,614 3/1939 France 301/64 SD Michelin & Cie, C]erm0m l:errand 1,365,089 5/1964 France... ..t. 301/65 (Puy de Dome), France 1,051,843 12/1966 Great Britain 301/6 CS [22] Ffled: 1970 Primary Examiner-Richard J. Johnson [21] Appl. No.: 98,655 Attorney-Brumbaugh, Graves, Donohue & Ra mond [30] Foreign Application Priority Data 57 ABSTRACT 6 l 9 4 i Dec 2 96 France 69 5163 A monobloc wheel has a well-base rim and a disc. The [52] us CL 301/65 disc comprises a central portion flared in a direction [5 1] InL'CL '1 3/06 that is axially in and radially out, an intermediate per. [58] Field SD 64 R tion lying in the plane of attachment to the hub, and an 301/63 outer portion flared in a direction that is'axially out and radially out. The outer portion is joined to the rim near [56] Retermces Citedv a rim flange so that the disc buttresses the rim while UNITED STATES PATENTS constituting an extension thereof.

3,549,205 l2/I970 Reid. 305/65 5 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures MoNoBLoc WHEEL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to wheels and, more particularly, to novel and -highly-effective monobloc wheels I made of light alloy, which are intended to mountpneumatic tires and to'be used-on automotivevehicles.

Light wheels for automotive vehicles are desirable, particularly in-the case of vehicles intendedforihigh speed or rapid acceleration. The need for lightwheels suggeststhat theybe made ofrlight alloy,and numerous types are already available onathemarketnlnallof these models the shape of' the rim is identical :to rthat tof the rims of rolled steel=wheels,such shape being' imposed by the requirementsof-the-mountingand holding of the ticularly foundry defects, and which-employs a :minimum of metal for maximum strength.

SUMMARY OF THE IN'VENTION An objectof the invention .isto remedy the problems outlined aboveand in particular to provideza wheel that can bemade by casting and that is light, economical, free of foundry defectsand very strong, and particularly very resistanceto axial forces.

The monobloc wheel in accordance with the invention comprises a conventional well base rim, also called a drop-center rim, and a disc housed withinthe rim. The wheel is characterized in that the disc comprises three contiguous portions: a central portion flared in a direction thatis axially in and radially out, an intermediate portion radially outside the central portion and lying in a plane of attachment to the hub, and anouter portion radially outside the intermediate portion and flared in a direction that is axially out and radially out. The outer portion joins the rim obliquely near a rim flange so that the disc buttresses the rim while constituting an extension thereof. The inner and outer axial directions are to be understood with reference to the vehicle on which the wheelis to be mounted.

This simple shape, in which the several portions of the disc follow each other and in which the rim follows the disc, isparticularly desirable in a product made of cast metal or forged metal; the flow of the metal takes place in a single direction, for instance from the center towards the periphery, orvice versa.

Furthermore, the shape of the buttressing disc,one side of which extends from the rim flange and the other side of which forms a tubular element, increases the resistance of the wheel to axial forces, particularly axial forces directed from the outside of the vehicle towards the inside.

In one particularly simple embodiment, the outer portion of the disccan have the geometrical shape of a cone frustum the generatrix of which is inclined by about l5 to 30 with respect to a plane normal to the cone (or wheel) axis.

It is also possible to'provide a number of radial ribs arranged on one and/or the other side of the disc; these ribsfacilitate theflow of the metal upon casting and stiffen the disc and the rim. is also possible to provide inthedisca'number 'of openings in order to reduce the weight-ofthewhee] lan'd 'toipermit flow of air from one sideofvthedisc tothe other in order,for instance, to assurebetter ventilating ofthe brake members.

The centralportion of the disc preferablydoes not xprotrude axiallyifrom the rim. Atits end it may have a .part forming a plug and hubcap'which can be fastened .by any suitable means, such as crimping, force fitting, screwing, etc.

The intermediate portion of'the disc, lying in the :plane of attachment tothe hub and disposed between the central and outer portionsof the disc, mayadvantageously'havean extrathickness of metal. It has a numberof holesin which there can beforce-fitted liners, :preferably of steel,'into which there are introducedthe "fastening bolts or pins and on whichthe centering and docking nuts *bear. :In another embodiment, one dispenses wit'htheuse-of the liners, in which case the. bolts sandithe nuts thenbear-directly on the metal of the disc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING An understanding of other aspectsof the invention can begain'edfromaconsiderationof the following derailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof, in conjunction with the appended figures of the drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view in radial half section of a pre-ferred embodiment of a wheel in accordance "with the. inven- DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1 and 2 show a cast wheel of light alloy in accordance with the invention. It has a. rim l0 and a disc The rim =l0'has a well base I], an inner bead seat 12 inclined by 5 with respect to the wheel axis, an inner rim flange l3, and an outer beadl seat 14 also inclined by 5 with respect to the wheel axis but in the opposite direction. The outer bead seat 14 is extended on the inside bya border 15 inclined by 5 with respect to the wheel axis in the same direction as'the bead seat 12. The rim also has an outer rim flange 16. The terminal rim flanges 13 and 16 have in thedirection of the axis an angular extension 17 intended to facilitate the fastening of balancing masses (not shown). The rim finally has a valve hole (not shown) to which there corre sponds a hole in the disc (also not shown).

The disc 20 comprises a central portion 21 flared in a direction that is axially in and radially out, an intermediate portion 22 lyingin the plane of attachment to the hub and an outer frusto conical portion 23 flared in a direction that is axially out and ra'dially out.

intended to receive the attachment bolts, pins and nuts (not shown). The thickness of metal in the intermediate attachment portion is substantially greater than that of the inner portion 21 or the outer disc portion 23, particularly all around the holes 24.

The outer disc portion 23 is integral on one side with the attachment intermediate plane portion 22 and on the other side with the rim at a line 27 substantially in the extension of the rim flange 16, and thus but tresses the rim 10. The outer disc portion 23 is stiffened furthermore by inner ribs 28 which connect it to the rim in the acute angle 29. It may furthermore have outer ribs 30 (shown in dotted line in FIG. 1) located in the extension of some of the inner ribs 28. The ribs 30 connect the rim and all three portions of the disc, including the central portion 21. Finally, the disc 23 may have openings 31 in all or part of the spaces between ribs 28 and 30.

The surface of the disc may be machined or polished in order to improve its appearance, particularly in the region of the disc close to the rim.

The wheel which has thus been described is preferably manufactured by metal casting, the axis of the wheel being vertical and the metal being introduced through the end of the central portion 21 and flowing to the inner rim flange 13. Alternatively, the metal is introduced via the outer rim flange 16, the axis of the wheel being arranged vertically with the rim flange 16 positioned at the top, and the metal flows downward to the inner rim flange l3 and then forms the disc 23 and the central sleeve 21.

Many modifications of the representative embodiments of the invention described herein will readily occur to those skilled in the art. For example, the invention is not limited to a cast metal wheel but relates to a monobloc wheel in which there is continuity of metal in the disc and the rim, irrespective of the method of manufacture. Accordingly, the invention is to be construed as including all the embodiments thereof within the scope of the appended claims.

' lclaim:

l. A monobloc wheel designed to be made through casting of a light alloy, comprising a well-base rim and a disc radially within and connected to said rim, said rim and disc being made of a cast light alloy, said rim comprising substantially radially extending inner and outer terminal rim flanges and said disc comprising a central portion flared in a direction that is axially in and radially out, an intermediate portion radially outside said central portion, contiguous therewith, and lying in a plane, and an outer portion radially outside said intermediate portion, contiguous therewith, and flared in a direction that is axially out and radially out, and said outer portion being joined to said disc near to and as a continuous conical extension of said outer rim flange, so that said disc buttresses said rim along said outer rim flange, whereby the flow of liquid alloy in a single direction during casting is facilitated.

2. A monobloc wheel according to claim 1 further comprising radial ribs connecting said rim to said disc.

3. A monobloc wheel according to claim 1 further comprising radial ribs connecting said rim to said central portion of said disc.

4. A monobloc wheel according to claim 1 wherein said intermediate portion is formed with an extra thickness as compared to said central and outer portions.

5. A monobloc wheel designed to be made through casting of a light alloy, comprising a well-base rim and a disc radially within and connected to said rim, said rim and disc being made of a cast light alloy, said rim comprising at least one rim flange and said disc comprising a central portion flared in a direction that is axi ally in and radially out, an intermediate portion radially outside said central portion, contiguous therewith, and lying in a plane, and an outer portion radially outside said intermediate portion, contiguous therewith, and flared in a direction that is axially out and radially out, and said outer portion being joined to said disc near said rim flange, so that said disc buttresses said rim while constituting an extension thereof, whereby the flow of liquid alloy in a single direction during casting is facilitated, said outer portion having the shape of a cone frustum the generatrix of which is inclined by about 15 to 30 with respect to a plane normal to the axis of said wheel. 

1. A monobloc wheel designed to be made through casting of a light alloy, comprising a well-base rim and a disc radially within and connected to said rim, said rim and disc being made of a cast light alloy, said rim comprising substantially radially extending inner and outer terminal rim flanges and said disc comprising a central portion flared in a direction that is axially in and radially out, an intermediate portion radially outside said central portion, contiguous therewith, and lying in a plane, and an outer portion radially outside said intermediate portion, contiguous therewith, and flared in a direction that is axially out and radially out, and said outer portion being joined to said disc near to and as a continuous conical extension of said outer rim flange, so that said disc buttresses said rim along said outer rim flange, whereby the flow of liquid alloy in a single direction during casting is facilitated.
 2. A monobloc wheel according to claim 1 further comprising radial ribs connecting said rim to said disc.
 3. A monobloc wheel according to claim 1 further comprising radial ribs connecting said rim to said central portion of said disc.
 4. A monobloc wheel according to claim 1 wherein said intermediate portion is formed with an extra thickness as compared to said central and outer portions.
 5. A monobloc wheel designed to be made through casting of a light alloy, comprising a well-base rim and a disc radially within and connected to said rim, said rim and disc being made of a cast light alloy, said rim comprising at least one rim flange and said disc comprising a central portion flared in a direction that is axially in and radially out, an intermediate portion radially outside said central portion, contiguous therewith, and lying in a plane, and an outer portion radially outside said intermediate portion, contiguous therewith, and flared in a direction that is axially out and radially out, and said outer portion being joined to said disc near said rim flange, so that said disc buttresses said rim while constituting an extension thereof, whereby the flow of liquid alloy in a single direction during casting is facilitated, said outer portion having the shape of a cone frustum the generatrix of which is inclined by about 15* to 30* with respect to a plAne normal to the axis of said wheel. 